Fix your colour profile

IF you’re using an Apple computer, do yourself a big favour right now by re-calibrating your display to at least set the gamma value to 2.2 instead of the Apple default of 1.8.

In the old days of B&W printing, gamma 1.8 was ideal as it produced a smooth grayscale. Nowadays, the darker gamma 2.2 is the de-facto standard, as most browsers adhere to the sRGB profile defined by HP and Microsoft and specifying 2.2 as the gamma setting. Not only browsers, but also printers and mini photolabs. The sRGB colour profile is so widespread that even Apple now recommends using the gamma value of 2.2.

Gamma 1.8 is brighter than gamma 2.2, meaning that images that look correct with a gamma 1.8 colour profile will be darker when viewed with another profile. So, pictures that are vivid under gamma 1.8 will have washed-out colours in prints and browsers. (Actually, Safari displays images correctly because it can process embedded colour profiles; Internet Explorer and Firefox do not, although the next version of Firefox will.)

Now, I’m a bit peeved because all the prints that I ordered from Photobox came out dull, which hinted at the incorrect calibration of my display. Not only do I need a new set printed, but I also have to edit and replace my Flickr pictures, as they are much darker than I intended.

Ignore hardware upgrade and save money on mobile contract

MY Vodafone contract ended a couple of months ago, but I renewed it only today. I ignored the proposed hardware upgrade and saved about GBP 200 for the length of the new contract by asking to have my line rental charge lowered instead.

This is a considerable saving if you are not after a new phone, the upgrade options are not appealing, or you would rather look elsewhere for your next phone.